Welcome to the ACSM/Exercise is Medicine Professional Credential online workshop presented by Health & Exercise Connections, LLC Objectives 1. Provide candidates with an overview of content related to the EIM credential certificate exam 2. Provide candidates with practical applications and tools to better manage clients and groups with chronic illness 3. To prepare candidates with resources and knowledge related to health care administration interactions and relationships EIM credential workshop is a 5-part series focused on 3 key areas of interest: 1. Navigating health care administration (20%) 2. Behavior change strategies (20%) 3. Exercise prescription considerations for special populations (60%)
Level Requirements for the Exercise is Medicine Credential Patient Population Credential Requirements Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Individuals at low or moderate risk who have been cleared for independent exercise Individuals at low, moderate, or high risk who have been cleared for independent exercise Individuals at low, moderate, or high risk including those requiring clinical monitoring NCCA accredited fitness professional certification Successful completion of the EIM credential training course and EIM credential examination Exercise science-based bachelor's degree NCCA accredited fitness professional certification Successful completion of the EIM credential training course and EIM credential examination EIM course and examination exempt for certifications with an emphasis on special populations (ACSM-HFS, ACSM-CES, ACSM- RCEP, ACE Advanced Heath Fitness Specialist) Exercise science-based master's degree OR exercise science-based bachelor's degree plus 4,000 hours of experience in a clinical exercise setting NCCA accredited clinical exercise certification EIM credential course and EIM credential examination exempt for those with ACSM- CES or ACSM-RCEP
Organizations with NCCA Accredited Health Fitness and/or Clinical Exercise Certification Academy of Applied Personal Training American College of Sports Medicine American Council on Exercise The Cooper Institute International Fitness Professionals Association National Council on Strength and Fitness National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association National Exercise Trainers Association National Federation of Professional Trainers National Strength and Conditioning Association National Academy of Sports Medicine Training and Wellness Certification Commission National Council for Certified Personal Trainers
Navigating health care administration
I want to refer my patients to a fitness professional, but how do I know who to trust? This is a common question from health care providers who recognize that exercise is one of the most effective prescriptions they can give a patient. Finally, there s an answer. Turn to a fitness professional with the Exercise is Medicine (EIM) Credential.
Professional Preparation and Marketing Materials Marketing Yourself Effective Communication with the Healthcare Provider Getting the Referrals Legal, Ethical and Privacy Issues Benefits to the Fitness Professional Benefits to the Healthcare Professional http://www.exerciseismedicine.org/fitpros.htm
Formal education Minimum of Bachelors degree in a Wellness/Exercise Science related field Significant experience working in health fitness field, particularly with medical organizations Will improve your chances of being noticed and respected
Credentials Certified by an accredited fitness organization such as ACSM, NSCA, NASM or ACE. Preferably NCCA-accredited - Accredited Certification Programs at: http://www.credentialingexcellence.org/p/cm/ld/fid=121
Practical skills Practical experience Internships, seminars, conferences, and work experience is vital Relevant certifications fitness and/or clinical CPR, ACLS certification
Work Experience Variety of settings Gain experience Club setting Corporate fitness centers Private fitness studio Medical fitness centers Rehabilitation programs clinically supervised
For the Community Education Department Director Resume Detailed Work Experience Community Involvement Testimonials Programs/Services you offer
For the Physician (or other Healthcare Provider) All of the above, plus Professional liability insurance Informed Consent form Health and Medical Questionnaire Fitness Assessment form
Locate the Medical Facilities in Your Area Community Education Department Commonly manage education programs available to adults, seniors, children, etc. focusing on healthy behaviors and resources within the community May also be Human Resources, Marketing, Nursing Phone number Email Find out who is in charge Community Education or Education Director or Coordinator Find out what classes or resources are offered Health insurance providers likely have additional programs and resources that may be of interest and important to EIM professionals
Contact the Community Education Department Director/Coordinator Set up a meeting by calling and/or emailing Be Patient and Persistent If you are unable to arrange a meeting Attend one of the education courses that the facility offers. Network! Don t forget to bring your press kit when you attend the class!
Talk to the Community Education Department Director/Coordinator Discuss your intentions Ask if you can give a presentation of your services to their team Ask if you can give a presentation during one of their educational classes If the Community Education Department Director/Coordinator is reluctant: If you have to, volunteer your time!
Delivering your press kit to a physicians office Directly approach each of the physician s/health care provider s gatekeepers. You ll probably find this more difficult (and certainly more labor intensive)
Face to Face Marketing: What to say to the office manager/front desk employee: Introduce yourself appropriately Smile Gauge your audience, use appropriate terminology Look professional
Be polite Remember: please, thank you, may I??? Your title Fitness professional is pretty vague Hand kit over Do not shove it in their face, but do not hand it over timidly
How to Follow Up with the Office Manager/Front Desk Employee Follow up in person Ask for the physician/health care provider s business card or their email address Consider working with physician s assistant(s) and/or referral coordinator when available
The Secret Back Door? Clinical Exercise Physiologists, Physical Therapists, Respiratory Therapists and Nurses who work in the program Use Professional Association websites ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) CEPA (Clinical Exercise Physiology Association) EIM (Exercise is Medicine)
When to Call the Physician/Health Care Provider During office hours physicians and health care providers are patient focused When leaving a message, be concise and to the point, but do not hurry
Leaving a Voice Mail to the Physician/Health Care Provider Introduce yourself Remind them of your press kit Your goal/purpose Your certifications Ask to talk or meet Thank them Remember that providers are often very busy and work on tight schedules, which means patience while waiting for return correspondence is required!
What to Do When the Physician/Health Care Provider Calls You Back Have your press kit ready again, know it well, refer to it Be ready to explain your services, focus on how your services will benefit them What matters to them is how your services will benefit their practice How will your services enhance their standard of patient care? How will your services save them money or make them money?
If You are Contacted by Email: Answer their questions professionally and specifically Tell them how you can enhance their ability to take care of their patients - be brief and straight to the point
If You are Contacted by Phone: If they leave a message, call them back as soon as possible Health Care providers are used to timely responses They are indicating that they are interested, so you must do whatever it takes to make it happen Have all pertinent information readily available for reference
If You are Asked to Meet with the Health Care Provider: Prove your knowledge and skills can take care of their patients Go over your press kit, questionnaires and assessment documents Tell the physicians that you will always be open to their suggestions and opinions and mean it! Stress the benefit to their patients which in turn will impact their practice.
Remember, the people that they refer to you will always be their patients first and your clients second. Always thank the physician for their time and willingness to work with you.
Keep in mind a physician usually has only a few minutes they actually spend with their patients, so your information and ability to refer to you needs to be brief, to the point, easy to do. Remember during their few minutes with a patient, providers are typically attending to other issues that may need referrals for other specialists and procedures. The EIM tool-kit provides you with an exercise prescription pad template to use with your information (written or electronic).
Monthly Updates Many health care providers are used to monthly updates, similar to Medicare requirements to have physicians review and sign care plans for cardiac rehab patients Once a month, provide a brief report to each doctor about the status of their patients that you are working with
Your Monthly Note Include Brief paragraph on subjective progress, only a few sentence Include some objective measures Thank the physician Plus Use nice paper If you hand write, make sure you have good handwriting
Professionally Build Your Business Business brochures Flyers Offer exercise prescription pads Thank you notes / Gift cards Consistency and branding
Professional Liability Insurance http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-insurance Available through ACSM, or other certifying agencies General guidelines / Exercise Limitations from Physician Individual Run Businesses vs. commercial based fitness centers Emergency services plan Safety equipment? AED? Are you prepared to work with more specialized populations?
Every client, every time If you have any questions, refer back to physician for clearance or clarification
Helps with determining initial fitness / risk Helps to define goals Essential for evaluation of progress Additional tool to communicate progress with physician
Clearly outlines services to be rendered Risks Benefits States that client has had a chance to review and acknowledge understanding & acceptance
Many health and fitness professionals do not have statutory or administratively defined scope of practice Be aware of your limitations If you have questions, talk with the organizations who awarded you your certifications resources are available
Never Diagnose! Even if you are right, communicate findings and relay concerns to the proper healthcare professional.
Increased Client Base Variety in Work Rewarding Work Making a Difference Critical Networking Professionalization of the Professional
Demonstrate that exercise REALLY is medicine. Put some action into your words Don t forget to walk the talk
Contact Health & Exercise Connections @ certificationsuccesscoach@healthexconnex.com Questions will be responded to within 48 hours of receipt Thank you for participating in the EIM Credential learning series